Manifold liquid distributor

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides apparatus for removing a measured quantity of liquid by a series of capillary tubes with the subsequent introduction of the liquid into respective work tubes for the performance of, for example, chemical reactions. The liquid is introduced into the capillary tubes by a piston action and then subsequently forced passed a restrictive orifice under the influence of a centrifugal action. Various forms of creating the piston action are provided.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,770,027 Guigan 1 Nov. 6, 1973 4]MANIFOLD LIQUID DISTRIBUTOR [56] References Cited [76] Inventor: JeanGuigan, 9 rue Jean Mermoz, UNITED STATES PATENTS Paris, France 3,683,9738/1972 Hatcher, Sr 141/34 X [22] Flled: 1972 Primary Examiner lohnPetrakes [21] Appl. No.: 216,050 Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. SchmidtAtt0rneyRichard C. Sughrue et a1. [30] Foreign Application Priority DataABSTRACT Jan. 7, 1971 France .1 7100378 Feb. 24 1971 France 7106311 Thepresem Provldes apparatus for removmg a measured quantity of liquid by aseries of capillary [52] U 8 Cl 141/34 23/259 141/236 I tubes with thesubsequent introduction of the liquid 41/245 l4l/329 into respectivework tubes for the performance of, for [51] Int Cl B65) 57/12 11/00,example, chemical reactions. The liquid is introduced [58] Field 141/3134 54 into the capillary tubes by a piston action and then subsequentlyforced passed a restrictive orifice under the influence of a centrifugalaction. Various forms of creating the piston action are provided.

20 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHuv 6 I975 SHEET 2 BF 5 PATENTEDUV 6 I975 SHEET u CF 5 FIG.6

MANIFOLD LIQUID DISTRIBUTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of theInvention The present invention relates to a manifold distributor of ameasured liquid substance from a first container in which it is storedto a plurality of secondary containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention is to providea distributor of simple structure, which is low in cost and providesrapid and reliable operation.

' Another aim of the invention is the simultaneous distribution ofmeasured amounts of liquid into each of the secondary containers, theseamounts being preferably small and accurately measured.

' The present invention has as its object a manifold distributor of aliquid in measured amounts comprising a first tube for collecting theliquid to be distributed and a plurality of secondary tubes known aswork tubes and intended for receiving the measured amounts of the liquid, characterized in that it also comprises a plurality of capillaryconduits provided with throttling means, a piston action cooperatingwith the collection tube to ensure the filling of the conduits from thecollection tube via a first end of the former and at least as far as thethrottling means, venting means of the first end of the conduits, andcentrifugal means cooperating with the work tubes to ensure the transferinto the latter of the liquid contained in the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features of the manifolddistributor according to the invention will be given in the followingdescription relating to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view along an axial plane of the device accordingto the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the unit for collecting the measured amountsof the liquid; I

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment of the retentionmember;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show two embodiments of one of the members of FIG. 1; v

. FIG. 6 is a sectional view alongan axial plane of an embodiment withrespect to FIG. 1; v

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view of a work tube and theconduit associated with it according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are sectional views of three respective positions ofthe work tube and the conduit associated with it as shown in FIG. 7.,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in the Figures, themanifold distributor comprises essentially three parts intended to worktogether'to ensure a simultaneous distribution of measured amounts of asame liquid. v

. The manifold distributor comprises a storage'tube 1 of the liquid,known hereafter as the tube for coIlecting the liquid of which measuredamounts are to be distributed, a member for the retention of measuredamountsof the liquid, the member ensuring the drawing off of the liquidand its distribution in measured amounts, and aplurality of storagetubes 30 for the measured amounts of the liquid, the tubes being knownhereinafter as work tubes.

In FIG. 1, the collection tube 1 has a constant crosssection. The tube 1is open at its upper end. The member 20 consists of a hollow tube 2 ofslight section in relation to that of the collection tube 1, provided ata first open end intended to penetrate into the collection tube 1, witha collar 3 of the same external diameter as the internal diameter of thecollection tube 1. Blades 4 dis posed along the length of tube 2 areintended to ensure the guiding of the latter within the collection tube1.

The second end of tube 2 opens into a central chamber 5 of sphericalshape in FIG 1, the outer wall of which is provided, over a sectionalong a plane perpendicular to the axis of the tube 2, with a pluralityof regularly disposed orifices 6 into which issue a plurality ofconduits 9 having a very small section. A tube 7 disposed in theextended part of tube 2 has a first end which also debouches into thecentral chamber 5. The second end of tube 7 widens out into 8.

The conduits 9 ending in the orifices 6 of the central chamber 5 aredisposed radially with respect to chamber 5. These conduits 9 areconstituted by tubes, for example, capillary tubes. Each comprises athrottling means 10, the volume between the end opening into one of theorifices 6 and the section of the lowest diameter of the throttlingmeans being calibrated with precisron.

The portions between the second ends of the conduit 9 and the throttlingmeans are bent outwards, the vertices of the bends being at a similar orslightly higher level than that of the funnel-shaped part 8 of the tube7. The second ends of the conduits 9 are regularly distributed on acircumference having as an axis the axis of the tube 2 or 7. These endsare intended to issue respectively into a plurality of work tubes 30joined one to the other by means of an annular bearer element 31 onwhich they are regularly spaced, the distance between the openings oftwo successive work tubes 30 being equal to that between the second endsof two successive conduits 9.

Each of the work tubes 30 is closed initially by a piece 17, the centralpart of whichiforms an easily pierceable disphragm 12.

Above the disphragm 12, the piece 17 limits a recess 18 ensuring theguiding into position of a piece 13 in which is sunk the second end ofthe corresponding conduit 9 which is intended to open into the relevantwork tube 30. This piece 13 has a section end which is substantiallyequal to that of the recess 18, the. end terminating in a tapered pointturned towards the diaphragm 12 to be pierced.

A circular band 14 of cardboard or the like may form a cross-piecebetween the piece. 13 andeach corre sponding diaphragm l2 and may thusisolate the conical end of the piece 13 from the diaphragm 12 beforeutilization of the device. To use the device the band is removed byusing a circular tearing movement. An outwardly projecting portion ofthe band allows it to be gripped for this purpose.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a groovelS m ade in the conicalend of the piece 13, supplemented by a groove 16 made in the part of thepiece 17 limiting the recess 18, ensures venting of the donduit 9 whenthe diaphragm 12 has not been pierced, and venting of the has beenpierced.

It will be noted in the example of the embodiment in FIG. 1, that theconduits 9 are inclined with respect to the axis of the tube 2. The worktubes 30 have, with respect to an axis passing through the vertex of thebend and parallel to the axis of the tube 2, an inclination which issubstantially symmetrical with that of the conduit 9 with which they arerespectively associated.

Individual embodiments of the device will now be described.

The liquid to be distributed into the tubes 30 is collected in tube 1.The device described above is held horizontally; the tube 1 ispositioned onto the central tube 2 of the device so as to establish aconnection between the collection tube 1 and the central chamber 5. Byapplying pressure in the direction indicated by the arrow 11 on the baseof the tube 1, the collar 3 adopts the role of a piston and the liquidrises in tube 1 towards chamber 5.

In proportion to the distance the hollow tube 2 penetrates thecollection tube 1 and in dependence on the capacity of the capillarytubes 9 the liquid rises in the conduit 9; either by capillaryattraction as soon as a sufficient amount of the liquid reaches thechamber 5, the liquid rises as far as the level of the throttling meanssolely by virtue of the capillary force; or by the action of thepressure maintained by continuing to push the collection tube 1 in thedirection of the arrow 11. In this case, the level of the liquid israised to the level of the throttling means 10 in the conduit 9 and evenbeyond this point. At the same time, the liquid rises to the same levelin the tube 7 and reaches the widened part 8 intended to control themaximum level attained in the conduits 9 so that the liquid will in noevent rise above the level of the bend of each conduit 9 and flow overthe ends of the conduit 9.

In the two above cases, by subsequently, drawing the collection tube 1downwards, i.e., in the opposite direction to that of the arrow 11, orby pulling the unit upwards the level of the liquid in the conduits 9and/or the tube 7, the chamber 5 and the tube 2 will descend. Under theinfluence of the capillar forces at the level of the throttling means10, the level of the liquid in the conduit 9 will only descend to thelevel of these throttling means. In the upper central tube 7, in thechamber 5 and in the lower central tube 2, the level of the liquiddescends until all the liquid contained in these elements has flowedinto the collection tube 1.

In this way, at the end of this operation, each conduit 9 contains ameasured amount of the liquid between its lower end and the throttlingmeans.

The device is then rotated about its symmetry axis (the axes of thetubes 2 and 7),either by hand or with the aid of a small centrifuge,which is not shown, and on which is mounted the end of the central tube2 removed from the collection tube 1.

The ends of the conduit 9 are then engaged respectively in the worktubes 30, each piece 13 piercing the corresponding diaphragm 12.

Under the influence of centrifugal force, the amounts of liquidcontained in the conduit 9 pass from these conduits into thecorresponding work tubes 30 where they are mixed if necessary with thesolvent, a reagent or a known quantity of any other liquid or solidsubstance placed in the work tubes.

Each work tube thus receives simultaneously an accurately measuredamount of liquid. Preferably, the

measured amounts of liquid will be identical from one tube to another.

To facilitate comprehension of the operation of the device, on thelefthand side of FIG. 1 is shown the end of one of the conduits 9discharging into the inside of the corresponding work tube 30, thediaphragm 12 having been pierced, the grooves 15 and 16 thus bringingthe inside of the tube into contact with the outside of the conduit. Theend of one of the conduits 9 shown on the righthand side of FIG. 1 hasnot pierced the corresponding tube 30 and is thus not in contact withthe inside of this work tube.

In the form of embodiment shown in FIG. 1, collection tube 1 is ofaknown conventional type. The member 20 for the drawing off anddistribution of measured amounts of liquid may be obtained, for example,by superposing two half shells, a lower shell 21 an an upper shell 22having on their opposing faces grooves which complement each other toform the interior parts of the conduit 9 and the central chamber 5 whenthe two half shells 21 and 22 are assembled in a sealed manner at leastalong the edges of these grooves. The lower half shell 21 comprises thelower central tube 2 fitted with the collar 3 and the blades 4 while theupper half shell 22 comprises the upper central tube 7, the widenedupper part 8 of the central tube 7 preferably being a part connected tothe tube 7.

The work tubes 30 which are integrally linked to one another by anannular bearer element 31 and which are intended to receive measuredamounts of the liquid may be formed, as shown in FIG. 2, by a series ofregularly spaced cavities in a crown forming the bearer element 31. Thecrown 31 is an inclined generatrix. The cavities defined in the crown 31are inclined with respect to the axis of the crown 31, the centersv ofthe openings of the tubes 30 being regularly distributed on a circlehaving a lower diameter than that on which the central part of theirrespective bases are regularly distributed. The openings of the cavitiesor work tubes 30 are sealed by a flat annular piece 19 having on oneface, as shown in FIG. 1, portions in relief, the dimension of each ofwhich are substantially equal to those of the openings of the worktubes, such that the latter are sealed by the portions. This flat piece19 has on its other face, hollowed portions to the right of the centralpart of the portions in relief. These hollow portions form theaforementioned recesses 18 which ensure the centering of the second endsof the conduits 9 on the opening of the tubes 30 and which then permiteasy perforation of the thin central parts of the portions in relief,the central parts forming the aforementioned diaphragm 12.

The grooves 16 which are intended to cooperate with the grooves 15 arecut in those portions of the piece 19 limiting the recesses 18. Thesegrooves may be seen in FIG. 1 and are intended for the venting of thetubes 30 when the ends of the conduit 9 penetrate into these tubes.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a variant of an embodiment of FIG. 1. InFIG. 3, the capillary conduits 9 that penetrate into the central chamber5 instead of being radially disposed as described with respect to FIG.1, are curved inward in the form of a spiral so as to present greatercapacities with a similar load or identical capacities with a reducedload. In FIG. 3, the conduits 9 have merely been schematized by theperforated lines which refer to the capillar conduits. This form andisposition of the conduits 9 also render possiblia for thecentrifugation, the use of the force of inertia at the start of therotation of the displacement of the columns of liquid to be distributedinto the work tubes 30.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the liquid may be discharged from thecollection tube 1, not by pushing this tube 1 in the direction of thearrow 11 of FIG. 1, but by screwing it onto the lower central tube 2.This embodiment does not involve any modification to the operatingprinciple given with respect to FIG 1.

In FIG. 4, the lower central tube 2 has an outer thread 24 and thecollection tube 1 has an internal screw cutting 25. The outer diameterof the central tube 2 is substantially equal to that of the collectiontube. The collection tube screws onto the central tube 2 which acts as aplunger. The liquid is then pushed in proportion to tube 1 into tube 2which has a reduced internal section in relation to thatof tube 1..

In addition, FIG. 4 discloses the central tube 2 carrying a filter 26 onits lower part. It is obvious that the lower part of the tube 2 in theembodiment given in FIG. I may be provided with such a filter.

In the method of operation given above, the filling of the conduits 9and the measuring of the amounts of the liquid to be subsequentlytransferred into the respective work tubes 30 are effected in two stagescorresponding to the pushing movement of tube 1 when the central tube 2penetrates further into tube 1 and to the retraction of the central tube2 from the collection tube 1.

FIG. 5 discloses another embodiment of the collection tube 1 permittinga simplified method of operation. In FIG. 5, the collection tube 1 has alower cylindrical part 41 and an upper part 42 which is frustoconicaland then cylindrical with a larger section than that of the lower part41. The opening 43 of this tube has the same diameter as that of thelower part 41. In the upper part 42, the tube is fitted with blades 44extending in such a way as to align approximately the edges of theopenings 43 and the wall of the part 41. The lower part 41 is extendedby a portion45 forming the base of the tube. This portion 45 is slightlylarger in diameter than that of the part 41.

The drawing off and distribution member is similar to constanttransversal cross-section. Theend of this'central tube which isintendedto penetrate into the collection tube 1' is fitted with a collarsuch as 3 which forms the piston. The outer-diameter of this collar issubstantially equal to that of the opening 43 or the part 41 of thecollection tube.

The lower control tube 2 may, as shown in FIG. vl, be provided withguide blades such as 4.

When the piston of the lower central tube 2 is introduced into the lowercollection tube 1, the level of the liquid in the collection tube and inthe central tube rises to a level proportional to the volume displaced.As

volume of liquid displaced from the collection tube to the central tube2 and to the conduits 9 is allowed to pass the level of the throttlingmeans 10 of the conduits 9. The piston 3 continues to descend in thecollection tube and at the end of its course reaches the part formingthe base of the collection tube. As the piston is lower in height thanthat of the portion 45, the collar 3 fitted on the end of the centraltube 2 no longer forms a piston which has the effect of placing incontact the volumes of liquid contained in the parts of the tube 1 onthe one hand with the liquid of the collar 3 on the other. The levelofliquid in the central tube 7 descends. In the conduits 9, the level ofliquid descends to the level of the smallest section of the throttlingmeans, while the liquid rises in the collection tube as all the liquidflows from the central tube 7 of the central chamber 5 and the lowercentral tube 2. The measured amounts of liquid are thus contained in theportions of the conduits 9 lying between their ends opening into thecentral chamber 5 and the throttling means. The collection tube can thenbe centrifuged with the unit comprising the conduits 9. The edge at thelevel of the opening prevents overflow of the liquid during thedistribution of the measured amounts of liquid into the respective worktubes.

FIG. 6 shows another variant of an embodiment of the collection tube 1and the member 20 for the draw ing of measured amounts of liquid.

The collection tube 1 is similar to that shown in FIG. 5. It comprises alower cylindrical part 51 having a smaller section than upper part 52.The lower part of the part 51 bears the base of the collection tube. Thebase of thtube comprises a substantially conical stud 56 disposedsubstantially in its center. The part 52 is cylindrical at the level ofthe opening 53 of the tube and frustoconical to permit connection withthe part 51 having an upper section smaller than part 52. Part 52 isalso provided with blades 54 extending towards the inside of the tubeand coming into alignment with the walls of the part 51.

The member 20 comprises the capillary conduits 9 but in this embodimentas compared to that of FIG. 1, the conduits 9 are bent at 69 such thatthe lower part of each of these is vertical. All the lower verticalparts of the conduits 9 extend to the end of the central tube 62(analogous to the central tube 2 of FIG. 1). At its lower end, the groupof vertical parts of the conduits 9 is provided with a collar 63 havingan outer diameter which is substantially equal to the diameter of thecross-section of partSl of the collection tube, whereas the lower end ofthe central tube 62 is closed by a sealed diaphragm 64.

The second end of the central tube 62 is in contact with the atmosphere.For this reason, the second end of the tube 62 emerges either in thelower part 67 of the,

group of median parts of the conduits 9 or in an annular conduit whichis also open and which is located in the soon as the collar forming thepiston reaches the part 41 having the smallest section, the volume ofthe liquid contained in the part 45 is isolated from that'contained inpart 42. As the piston descends in part 41, the level of the liquiddescends in part 42, while under the influence of the generated pressurethe liquid in parts 41 and 45 makes thelevel rise in the central tube 2and then in the capillary conduits9 and the central tube 7. Intheembodiment of the collection tube according to FIG. 5, the level of thepart 41 is calculated so that the inner spaceformed by the median partsof the conduits 9.

As in the case of the embodiments described above, the collar'63 isintroduced into the collectiontube 1. As soon as it reaches the part 51,having a constant but smaller section thanlthat of thepart 52, itadoptsthe role of a piston. The liquid imprisoned in the part 51 below thepiston rises in the conduits 9 under the influence of the pressure asthe collar 63 descends in the tube 1. The volume of the part 51 of thecollection tube is selected so that it is equal or slightly greater thanthe sum of the volumes of the liquid in the parts of the capillaryconduits lying between their lower ends and the throttling means 10.

At the end of the stroke of the piston 63 in the part 51 of thecollection tube, the conical bussing 56 pierces the diaphragm 64initially sealing the central tube 62. The columns of liquid in theconduits 9 thus come into contact with the atmosphere. The level ofliquid descends in the conduits 9 to the level of the throttling means10. The collection tube is then withdrawn and the group 20 is thencentrifuged to obtained distribution of the measured amount of theliquid in the work tubes.

In the above embodiment, the collection tube and/or the retention member20 of the measured amounts of liquid and/or the work tubes arepreferably of transparent plastic materials. The work tubes may containinitially reagents in the form of a liquid or solid or absorbed, forexample, in blotting paper, to allow for direct analysis of the liquiddistributed in the work tubes by direct examination of the coloredreactions or by comparing these reactions with a colored screen.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the work tube 117 comprises twosuperimposed compartments 101 and 102 closed respectively by a piece 105fitted with a pierceable diaphragm 106 and a piece 103 fitted with apierceable diaphragm 104.

The pierceable diaphragm 106 is disposed, for example, at the bottom ofacylindrical hole 112 made in the piece 105.

The conduit 100 comprises a channel 107 and is bent at 113 at the levelof its end, towards the outside of the retention unit. The end of thechannel 107 discharges through a conical point 108 disposed facing thework tube 117.

The conical point 108 is provided with a neck 109, which is preferablysharp. The neck 109 of the point 108 is intended to ensure the ventingof the upper compartment 101 and the bringing into contact of thecompartment with the adjacent compartment 102.

The superimposed cross-piece 110 and 111 are applied between a planeface 118 of the conduit 100 and a plane face of the piece 105 to limitthe course of the piece 108 and to keep the neck 108 at predeterminedlevels in the work tube 117.

According to a preferred embodiment, the crosspiece 111 and 110 arecommon to all the tubes 117 of the manifold distributor and consist ofcircular bands which may be removed at the time of use by a circularmovement. Each of the bands may be provided with a part which is notshown but which projects outward to facilitate gripping the band.

The implementation of a device according to the invention is describedbelow with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

Compartment 101 is first partially filled with a first reagent 114 andcompartment 102 with a second reagent ll5 (see FIG. 8).

The plane face 118 of the conduit 100 abuts against the cross-pieces 110and 111 and the end of the conical point 108 is disposed slightly abovethe diaphragm 106 closing the compartments 101.

In a first phase (see FIG. 9), the cross-piece 111 is removed andpressure is applied to the bend 113 in the direction of the arrow 120.The face 118 of the conduit 100 ab uts on the cross-piece 110. The endof the com cal point 108 tears the diaphragm 106 and penetratesintocompartment 101. The beveled neck 109 ensures venting of thiscompartment.

In a second stage the liquid contained in the channel 107 is injected bycentrifuging according to arrow 121 into compartment 101 and is mixedwith the reagent 114. 122 is the resultant mixture thus obtained.

In a third stage, for example, after a period ofincubation of themixture 122 at a given temperature, the cross-piece is removed (see FIG.10) and pressure is applied to the bend 113 in the direction of thearrow 130. The face 118 comes to rest against the upper face of thepiece 105. The end of the conical point 118 tears the diaphragm 104 andpenetrates into compartment 102.

The neck 109 102 ensures contact between the two compartments. Themixture 122 flows in the direction of the arrow 131 into the reagent115. The new mixture obtained is designated by 132. The tube 107, whichis now empty of liquid, ensures venting of the compartment 102.

A particular embodiment of the device according to the invention hasbeen described.

Naturally, the work tube 117 may comprise any number of superimposedcompartments connected, for example, to a plurality of cross-piece. Thereagents may be in liquid or solid form.

Various modifications can be accomplished in the present invention bythose skilled in the art and acc'ordingly the scope of the presentinvention shold be measured solely from the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for distributing liquid in discrete measured quantitiescomprising:

a collection tube for holding the liquid to be distributed;

a plurality of capillary conduits having a size relative to the type ofliquid to be distributed to permit a capillary action between the liquidand the conduits connected to the collection tube;

throttling means in each of the conduits;

means for forcing and passing the liquid from the collection tube intothe conduits at least as far as the throttling means;

means for venting the collection tube thereby permitting the liquid tobe retained in the conduits to the extent of said throttling means;

work tubes connected to each conduit for receiving its respectiveretained quantity of liquid, and

means for forcing the liquid retained in the conduits into the workingtubes.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: the means for forcing the liquidfrom the collection tube comprising means for moving the collection tuberelative to the conduits to produce a piston action on the liquid in thecollection tube thereby forcing the liquid into the conduits.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for forcing the liquidintti the work tubes includes means for rotation of the conduits toproduce a centrifugal action.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for forcing the liquidfrom the collection tube includes a plunger conduit connected to each ofthe conduits that receive a measured quantity of liquid and wherein, atleast a portion of the outside diameter of the plunger conduitcorresponds approximately to at least a portion of the inside diameterof the collection tube.

5. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein guide flanges are attached to theplunger conduit.

6. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the plunger conduit and thecollection tube are respectively threaded to permit a screw actionbetween each other.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein: the collection tube has acentral narrow position of the same inside diameter as the outsidediameter of the plunger conduit with the upper and lower portions of thecollection tube having larger diameters.

8. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the conduits extend to the bottomof the plunger conduit, the plunger conduit having a vent conduit sealedwith a diaphragm and the collection tube having a piercing stud locatedon its inside surface for piercing the diaphragm.

9. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein: the radially outer ends of saidconduits terminate in a sharp puncturing tip and the work tubes having asealing diaphragm across their surface designed to be punctured by theconduit tips.

10. An apparatus as in claim 9 where the throttling means includes arestricted orifice.

ll. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein an overflow tube is connected tothe conduits. f

12. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the conduits are conicallyarranged about the collection tube and the work tubes are arrangedapproximately perpendicular to the plane of the cone.

13. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: the conduits terminate attheirradially outer ends, in a sharp puncturing tip and the work tubes have asealing diaphragm acros their surface designated to be punctured by theconduit tips.

14. An apparatus as in claim 13 wherein: the means for venting includesa groove adjacent the puncturing tip of each conduit.

15. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the conduits are bentapproximately before connection with the work tubes but after thethrottling means.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a ring portionfor holding the work tubes at circumferentially spaced positions.

17 An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the conduits are arranged in aconical plane and spiral outward fro the collection tube.

. 18. An apparatus as in claim wherein: the work tubes are divided intotwo liquid retaining portions by a diaphragm, the top portion adapted tohold one reactant while the bottom is adapted to hold another reactant.

19..An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein; the conduits terminate at theirradial outer ends in a sharp tip, the work tubes have an outer and innersealing diaphragm spaced axially from each other and a spacer isprovided between said conduits and said tubes for limiting therespective tip of each conduit to pierce only the outer diaphragm whenthe outer ends of the tubes are connected to the conduits.

20. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the conduits have an adjacentbearing shoulder for receiving the spacer.

1. An apparatus for distributing liquid in discrete measured quantitiescomprising: a collection tube for holding the liquid to be distributed;a plurality of capillary conduits having a size relative to the type ofliquid to be distributed to permit a capillary action between the liquidand the conduits connected to the collection tube; throttling means ineach of the conduits; means for forcing and passing the liquid from thecollection tube into the conduits at least as far as the throttlingmeans; means for venting the collection tube thereby permitting theliquid to be retained in the conduits to the extent of said throttlingmeans; work tubes connected to each conduit for receiving its respectiveretained quantity of liquid, and means for forcing the liquid retainedin the conduits into the working tubes.
 2. An apparatus as in claim 1wherein: the means for forcing the liquid from the collection tubecomprising means for moving the collection tube relative to the conduitsto produce a piston action on the liquid in the collection tube therebyforcing the liquid into the conduits.
 3. An apparatus as in claim 1wherein the means for forcing the liquid into the work tubes includesmeans for rotation of the conduits to produce a centrifugal action. 4.An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the means for forcing the liquid fromthe collection tube includes a plunger conduit connected to each of theconduits that receive a measured quantity of liquid and wherein, atleast a portion of the outside diameter of the plunger conduitcorresponds approximately to at least a portion of the inside diameterof the collection tube.
 5. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein guideflanges are attached to the plunger conduit.
 6. An apparatus as in claim4 wherein the plunGer conduit and the collection tube are respectivelythreaded to permit a screw action between each other.
 7. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 4 wherein: the collection tube has a central narrowposition of the same inside diameter as the outside diameter of theplunger conduit with the upper and lower portions of the collection tubehaving larger diameters.
 8. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein theconduits extend to the bottom of the plunger conduit, the plungerconduit having a vent conduit sealed with a diaphragm and the collectiontube having a piercing stud located on its inside surface for piercingthe diaphragm.
 9. An apparatus as in claim 4 wherein: the radially outerends of said conduits terminate in a sharp puncturing tip and the worktubes having a sealing diaphragm across their surface designed to bepunctured by the conduit tips.
 10. An apparatus as in claim 9 where thethrottling means includes a restricted orifice.
 11. An apparatus as inclaim 1 wherein an overflow tube is connected to the conduits.
 12. Anapparatus as in claim 1 wherein the conduits are conically arrangedabout the collection tube and the work tubes are arranged approximatelyperpendicular to the plane of the cone.
 13. An apparatus as in claim 1wherein: the conduits terminate at their radially outer ends, in a sharppuncturing tip and the work tubes have a sealing diaphragm acros theirsurface designated to be punctured by the conduit tips.
 14. An apparatusas in claim 13 wherein: the means for venting includes a groove adjacentthe puncturing tip of each conduit.
 15. An apparatus as in claim 1wherein the conduits are bent approximately 90* before connection withthe work tubes but after the throttling means.
 16. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 further comprising a ring portion for holding thework tubes at circumferentially spaced positions.
 17. An apparatus as inclaim 1 wherein the conduits are arranged in a conical plane and spiraloutward fro the collection tube.
 18. An apparatus as in claim wherein:the work tubes are divided into two liquid retaining portions by adiaphragm, the top portion adapted to hold one reactant while the bottomis adapted to hold another reactant.
 19. An apparatus as in claim 1wherein; the conduits terminate at their radial outer ends in a sharptip, the work tubes have an outer and inner sealing diaphragm spacedaxially from each other and a spacer is provided between said conduitsand said tubes for limiting the respective tip of each conduit to pierceonly the outer diaphragm when the outer ends of the tubes are connectedto the conduits.
 20. An apparatus as in claim 19 wherein the conduitshave an adjacent bearing shoulder for receiving the spacer.